SACRAMENTO – Two teams of investigators with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) concluded a productive search for unlicensed contractors in the greater Los Angeles area on Feb. 10-11, 2016, citing a total of 23 persons in separate undercover sting operations. Fourteen persons received misdemeanor citations on illegal contracting charges in La Cañada Flintridge, and nine were cited in the Mount Washington neighborhood of northeast Los Angeles.

“Sting operations are conducted year-round up and down the state, in cities big and small,” explained CSLB Registrar Cindi Christenson. “We want to send a message that we want to shut down unlicensed contractors who frequently take advantage of consumers, and take business away from legitimate, licensed contractors.”

Here are highlights from each sting:

La Cañada Flintridge

Investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) set up the two-day sting at the home near NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A list of potential unlicensed contractors was compiled using online advertising sites, procured business cards, and internal case files. Playing the role of owners, investigators then called for bids on home improvement projects such as tree removal/service, tankless water heater installation, concrete work, and painting.

Seven persons were cited for contracting without a license (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section (§) 7028) on the sting’s first day, Feb. 10, and seven more at the next day’s operation. Estimates given to investigators ranged from $1,100 to $4,300, both paint bids. All bids significantly exceeded the legal limit of $500 for materials and labor before a state contractor license is required.

An additional misdemeanor charge of illegal advertising (BPC §7027.1) was lodged against eight of the 14 suspects cited over the sting’s two days. State law requires unlicensed contractors to state in all advertising that they are not licensed.

Background checks revealed that one bidder was on probation for a domestic violence conviction, two had outstanding traffic warrants of $50,000 and $40,000, respectively, and another was wanted on a $10,000 traffic warrant. Officers with the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation assisted in processing suspects.

Those cited are scheduled to appear April 25-28, 2016, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, 600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206 (MAP).

Los Angeles

Two of the nine persons cited on illegal contracting charges in this sting turned out to be recent repeat offenders.

SWIFT investigators pretended to be owners of the single-family home seeking bids on masonry work, painting, window and shutters replacement, and wrought iron railing. Online advertising sites and case files helped make up the contact list of potential unlicensed contractors. Officers from the state Department of Insurance lent assistance.

Four persons were cited for contracting without a license on the sting’s first day, Feb. 10, and five more were caught the next day. The $11,300 bid to replace a section of iron railing was the highest of those submitted for the two days. Three were cited for illegal advertising.

Investigators discovered that two of the bidders were no strangers to CSLB stings. One had been cited for unlicensed contracting at an August 2014 sting in Santa Monica. He told investigators he was still serving probation term for that offense. Another man had been cited in Alhambra by CSLB in January 2015, and said he had been ordered to perform community service for the violation. Both face harsher punishment if convicted of the same offense a second time. State law calls for a fine up to $5,000 and possible jail time if there’s a previous conviction for unlicensed contracting.

Those cited are scheduled to appear at a date to be determined in Los Angeles County Superior Court, 210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90012 (MAP).

NOTE: All suspects are presumed innocent until their case is resolved.

CSLB encourages consumers to always “Check The License First” by visiting www.cslb.ca.gov or calling its toll-free automated line: 800.321.CSLB (2752). Also, visit CSLB’s website for tips about how to hire a contractor and to sign up for CSLB Email Alerts.

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates almost 290,000 contractors in California, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2014-15, CSLB helped recover nearly $68 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

This Google translation feature is provided for informational purposes only; CSLB is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation. Please consult a professional translator for accuracy if you are using this site for official business.